Tendulkar defends rotation policy in Australia

Mumbai, Mar 25: Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday defended the controversial rotation policy that was adopted during the disastrous tour of Australia, saying that the idea was to keep everyone fit as it was a long tour.

After maintaining silence over the contentious issue of rotating three senior openers in the ODI tri-series in Australia, Tendulkar said the much-talked about policy was planned.

"It (rotation idea) was decided by our senior players and captain ( Mahendra Singh Dhoni). We felt that since it was a long tour without long breaks it would be good to give rest to some borderline cases (injuries). I am not saying they were injured. No one was dropped," said Tendulkar at a 55-minute media interaction with a select group of journalists.

It became a highly contentious issue when Dhoni indicated to the media that all three seniors cannot be fielded in the same match as they would concede 20 extra runs on the field.

Sehwag had then retorted that it was not the reason given at the team meeting by the captain when it was decided to follow the policy.

Tendulkar also felt that what was discussed in the dressing room needed to remain within the four walls. "But that's my view. Individual views may differ."

Later at a media conference he had said he cannot comment on what was said at the media conferences in Australia by some teammates as he was not present.

"I don't know what was said (in what context) and what their (players) intentions were," he reiterated.

Indian cricket team suffered huge losses in England and Australia post World Cup, but batting legend Sachin Tendulkar feels every team or player goes through a bad phase and its a process to regain form by never losing hope.

"Wherever we go, we want to win. When you lose the number one ranking, it means someone is playing better cricket than you, you need to perform better and win. That is what we go out for. At no stage should we lose hope. It is a rough patch but we can overcome that obstacle, we require hard work and we will do that," he said.

"I think our team has had a few injuries. During the England tour, we suffered because of injuries. I don't want to give excuses because whoever plays, he is expected to do well. I can't pinpoint reasons but we can get better.

"I don't know how to put it across. I don't think you can find solutions in 3-4 sentences. It is a process. When we became number one, it was a process and we will have to repeat that," he added.